B-2730

Some numbers will never fade away.

One day I'm going to write an article just about Mr. Chaim Weinrib. He deserves it. If for nothing else, just being 94, a survivor of the crematoria of Auschwitz, and patriarch of an incredible family would qualify him for some overdue public recognition and accolade.

But today is not that day. It is a day when Reb Chaim (as he is affectionately known) will play a starring role in this sterling, yet simple saga, and then abruptly retreat to the background to allow others to shine and teach us an unforgettable lesson. It is, in fact, a role he has played to perfection all of his life.

* * *

You know, you can sure learn a lot from just standing in the corner. And so, there I was. The meal was over, that glorious Friday night a few weeks ago, and the guests were milling about -- too stuffed to move quickly and too happy to want to leave. I surveyed the scene and reflected on the evening's events. It was as special as we thought it would be.

The bride and groom, married all of one day, radiated with novelty and joy. The Shabbat candles, tall and majestic, danced like it was yesterday. And the speeches, obligatory and plentiful, were actually rather poignant and personal. Who could ask for anything more?

We are not related to the celebratory family, but sometimes friends can be closer than relatives and this was certainly a case in point. We always revel in a Weinrib wedding or Bar Mitzvah or Bris and one of the highlights is sharing some quality time with Reb Chaim.

We were privy to a world nearly totally forgotten and never to be fully understood.

In years past, he would spin a few yarns from pre-war Poland, recount a heart-wrenching tale of horror from his tortured years in Auschwitz, or describe the simple life of immigrants living in Hartford, Connecticut in the 50's and 60's. Truth be told, the memories were never really that clear and his English was peppered with so much Yiddish that most of the club members could never really repeat any of the stories. But no one cared. The details were moot. We knew we were privy to a world nearly totally forgotten and never to be fully understood.

Certainly the 542 Jews of Pietrokov, rounded up into the city's main synagogue by the S.S. in 1942 could never have understood the events of that dreaded day when they seemed destined to meet their Maker. Reb Chaim, his father, brothers and friends recited their final prayers before they were transported to the forest to be shot in cold blood. It seemed out of nowhere that a certain Sender Gotthelf (ironically translated God's help), a Jewish overseer who had supervised factory operations for the Germans, told the S.S. guards that he needed two workers for his knitting mill. His factory was assigned to produce sweaters for the Nazi marauders. And Reb Chaim, sent out to work in his youth in pre-war Europe to help support his family of seven, had learned to knit sweaters. Tragically and incredibly, he and a friend were the only survivors that day.

Reb Chaim's miraculous survival was but a harbinger of a series of Heavenly interventions that allowed him to endure the horrors of Blizhin, Auschwitz, and Allach and eventually settle in the DP camps in Garmisch, Germany. It was there that he met and married Raiza, his soul-mate till today, and a woman of incredible strength and superlative character. In 1948 they were the first refugees in New Britain, Connecticut. They built a family, moved to Hartford, but never forgot the past or God's hand in their salvation.

"Did you see the numbers?"

Amidst the stories we heard from him, our encounters with Reb Chaim were always marked and punctuated by the numbers. Sometimes when he started, sometimes in the middle -- totally out of context -- and sometimes at the end, Reb Chaim would invariably roll up his left sleeve and display the permanent identification given to him by the Nazis, B-2730.

There was no avoiding it; we were never given a choice. Some of us winced, some of us gaped, maybe others cried, but everyone saw the numbers. This man did more than survive -- he thrived and he wore those numbers with immense pride.

For the most part, the years have been kind to Reb Chaim. He has enjoyed comparative good health and basks in the accomplishments of his extraordinary children and many exceptional grandchildren. But having entered his tenth decade, Reb Chaim's short-term memory is naturally, not what it used to be. Having lost an inch or two in posture, this already diminutive giant now shuffles about at family gatherings, quietly minding his own business and drinking from the fruits of his many years of self-effacing sacrifice and guidance.

Frequently he can be seen speaking softly and quickly, to no one in particular, commenting on a circumstance unfolding before him or a flashback from yesteryear. But no matter what his current discourse may be about, his focus shifts abruptly when anyone approaches. As soon as Reb Chaim detects the oncoming visitor, the sleeve goes up and B-2730 appears.

"Did you see the numbers?" he always asks.

More often than not, the visitor had indeed seen the numbers... many times... sometimes as recent as a few minutes ago. The more polite ones indulge Reb Chaim and look again, or pretend, before hurrying off. The majority just reassure him that they have seen the numbers many times before. And many, perhaps understandably, have taken to finding a detour to simply avoid a seemingly purposeless encounter -- human nature, I guess.

Rabbi B.

Among the aforementioned poignant and personal speeches, that evening, was the one delivered by Rabbi B. As a community leader and beloved teacher, Rabbi B is often besieged by his many followers and admirers to appear, if just for a few moments, at their special occasions. Unable to accommodate everyone, he always makes it a point to grace every Weinrib function.

Rabbi B's schedule -- educational, communal, familial, and social -- is beyond hectic; everyone knows that. Yet, he somehow manages to give the impression that wherever he is at the moment is the place he wants most to be.

I watched him from my corner that remarkable Friday night, marveling at his patience and amazed at his unique brand of warmth and compassion.

"He probably has three other events to go to and is fatigued beyond belief," I reasoned to myself. "And yet no one in this room would know it."

Finally he donned his coat and threaded his way to the front door. I felt glad for him. The pressure on him, though he never shows it, must be enormous. I watched him disappear past the small crowd of well-wishers, into the Shabbat night. It was only a few seconds later when I saw him coming back inside; a forgotten scarf, perhaps.

But no. Rabbi B was pointing his determined stride in the direct line of an elderly Holocaust survivor from Hartford, Connecticut, who was now sitting alone in a crowded living room. He wove his way past the guests he had just bidded farewell to, and approached Reb Chaim. Rabbi B extended his hand and grasped the frail hand of the startled man.

"Good Shabbos, Reb Chaim," he bellowed, loud enough for Reb Chaim to lift his head and notice.

He had nearly been out the door, but he couldn't leave without one final special greeting to someone who needed it.

But Rabbi B wasn't quite done with his mission just yet. He leaned down a bit closer, to be certain that Reb Chaim could hear him.

"Reb Chaim," he said, "show me the numbers."

Reb Chaim looked shocked. No one had ever asked to see the numbers.

Reb Chaim looked shocked. No one had ever asked to see the numbers. It was only four words, but it was a gift of the highest order possible. It was something most of us took pain to avoid doing. A radiant glow slithered across his weathered, but gentle face, as he slid up his shirt sleeve to reveal the badge of honor that defined him. I couldn't take my eyes off Reb Chaim and I couldn't get over the wisdom, the tenderheartedness, and the love of a man like Rabbi B.

Rabbi B examined B-2730 as if he had never seen it before. Then he lifted Reb Chaim's arm, brought it to his lips and kissed the numbers. I don't believe I have ever seen anyone who looked as grateful and as understood and as cared for, as Reb Chaim at that moment. A minute later Rabbi B was gone into the night.

It was a half an hour later when I began my long walk home. I thought about all the opportunities I had missed to go the extra yard to give someone a greeting, a smile, a touch, a kiss... or any expression of care.

Featured at Aish.com:

About the Author

Rabbi Yaakov Salomon, C.S.W. is a noted psychotherapist, in private practice in Brooklyn, N.Y. for over 25 years. He is a Senior Lecturer and the Creative Director of Aish Hatorah's Discovery Productions. He is also an editor and author for the Artscroll Publishing Series and a member of the Kollel of Yeshiva Torah Vodaath.

In these marvelous stories -- brimming with wit, understanding, a touch of irony and a large helping of authentic Torah perspective -- we will walk with a renowned and experienced psychotherapist and popular author through the pathways of contemporary life: its crowded sidewalks, its pedestrian malls, and the occasional dead end street. This is a walk through our lives that will be fun, entertaining -- and eye-opening. In our full -- sometimes overfull -- and complex lives, Yaakov Salomon is a welcome and much-needed voice of sanity and reason.

His speaking, writing and musical talents have delighted audiences from Harvard to Broadway and everything in between. Rabbi Salomon shares his life with his wife, Temmy, and their unpredictable family.

The opinions expressed in the comment section are the personal views of the commenters. Comments are moderated, so please keep it civil.

Visitor Comments: 29

(27)
Anonymous,
July 19, 2012 1:00 PM

noble

Rabbi be is so nolble. who has the strangth to do this

(26)
c,
July 18, 2012 7:14 PM

Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful and inspiring story.

(25)
Laya,
July 17, 2012 4:48 PM

thank you

beautiful story, beautiful reminder

ladydi,
July 18, 2012 2:14 PM

My friends Aunt Goldie had the number on her arm also but refused to talk about the horrors she went thru and the terror she witnessed. She's gone now but I will always remember her.

(24)
Zvi,
July 16, 2012 6:11 PM

Pietrokov/Piotrkow

Is Pietrokov a variation of Piotrkow, where former Chief Rabbi Israel Meir Lau grew up? In his autobiography, OUT OF THE DEPTHS, Rabbi Lau describes a selektion in the main shul.

(23)
Feivel,
July 16, 2012 3:13 PM

Outstanding

Thank you for your best piece yet. How truly observant!

(22)
Roberta,
July 16, 2012 2:55 AM

Thank you

Thank you for reminding me to take the time and look for the nunbers that each of us carries and yearns to share. Thank you for reminding me that I have the power to truly connect if only I will keep my eyes open and take the time. I hope to fulfill that potential and bring grace when I can.

(21)
Sandra Becker,
July 15, 2012 9:58 PM

Kindness

I was very touched by this...All of our days are numbered..We can't forget what a smile and and a little kindess can do to even a complete stranger. When I see any military people or veterans I always thank them for their service. It means so much to them....

(20)
Melanie Vliet,
July 15, 2012 4:44 PM

Excellent Lesson

What an excellent lesson this is for us all! I always enjoy Rabbi Salomon's thoughtful and insightful videos on Aish.com, but this article is a treasure of an even higher order. May G-d richly bless you, Rabbi. He has already blessed you with uncommon wisdom.

(19)
DvoraKidorf,
July 15, 2012 3:43 PM

Yaakov, thank you for this beautiful article which I have read many times and shared with my students in Israel I am very proud to have been Reb Chaim's daughter ., He left us a wonderful legacy, his "simchas Chaim" and gratitude for everything that we have

Malki Hockman (Dubin),
July 16, 2012 7:09 AM

I thought it was him

Mrs. Kidorf, as I was reading the article I was pretty sure it was talking about your father. And yes, as the article says
"basks in the accomplishments of his extraordinary children and many exceptional grandchildren" Yehi Zichro Boruch

(18)
Natana Pesya Kulakofski,
July 15, 2012 3:23 PM

The Greatest Story of Kindness I Have Ever Read

B"H
The reason we were put on this planet is to do for another what he cannot do for himself. Rabbi B knows this. He chose the right profession, but you don't have to have smichah to do what he did. We can be kind to anyone in need of kindness, and who doesn't? The opportunities are limitless.

(17)
Rob van Dijk,
August 8, 2006 12:00 AM

If Reb Chaim is still alive send him my love and admiration from Holland (he has a very "early" number and must have been of enourmous spiritual and physical strenght and, indeed, a extremely fortunous mazal)Baruch HaShem for the Rabbi B. and thanks to Rabbi Salomon for his warm portret of the two giants!

(16)
Anonymous,
March 22, 2006 12:00 AM

tender-hearted

Thank you so very much for a reminder of this very tender and loving gesture. it brought tears to my eyes.It takes so very very very little to show true love and elevate oneself as a consequence.

(15)
Carol Notestein,
March 18, 2006 12:00 AM

Take the time

Sometimes it takes just a moment to make a difference that can last a lifetime. In this hustle bustle world where we always seem to be running from one "must do" task or another, it is easy to let opportunites to touch the lives of those around us slip by. We always are procrastinating, thinking there will be another chance, another day when we are not too busy to listen or console or just share a smile, but life has a way of speeding past, and suddenly we find ourselves wishing we could go back and redo the moment that has gone and will never come again.When all is said and done, our lives will be measured not by the grand gestures, but by the small, seemingly insignificant moments of grace that we shared with one another.

(14)
Anonymous,
March 17, 2006 12:00 AM

Thank-you for sharing

(13)
Feige Ferber,
March 16, 2006 12:00 AM

What a poignant article!

I am a vociferous reader of Holocaust literature and have, in the recent past, watched at least 5 Holocaust documentaries, revisited Yad Veshem and cried buckets of tears. This article, however, touched me to the core. I wish that Rabbi B Was my Rabbi. Thank you Rabbi Dr. Salomon for an excellent, poignant and pertinent article.

(12)
Sarah Fishman,
March 16, 2006 12:00 AM

Thank you

Thank you for sharing this story. It is easy to forget what a long way a small gesture can go. I will be a madricha on the March of the Living this year, where 200 high school students will spend 1 week visiting Poland's concentration camps then fly to Israel for 1 week, to visit our homeland. I hope to share this story with them, emphasize what an impact they can make -- and how much we need to recognize and appreciate our survivors.

(11)
Yaakov Gottlieb,
March 16, 2006 12:00 AM

Magnificent

A huge Yasher Koach for a great story magnificently told.

(10)
cecilia sacharow,
March 15, 2006 12:00 AM

numbers

Dear Yaakov,

Happy Shushan Purim from Yerushalayim. Your story was so unbelievably touching and so well told that I felt that I was at that Sheva Brachot. People like R'Chaim give us all a derech to survive the many tragedies and hurts thatG-d choses to send us. Keep telling his story

B'vracha
Cecilia

(9)
Ed Belz,
March 15, 2006 12:00 AM

B-4022

For my father - the number is B- 4022. He is also one of the few survivors of Pietrokov. As a child of a holocaust survivor - numbers meant everything...6 million,zero relatives, 8 death camps, 1 dp camp, B-4022, etc, etc. I was obsessed with numbers and remain so (I am an investment banker today). Thank you for a beautiful story Rabbi - I have had the pleasure meeting you and I try not to miss your articles.

Ed

(8)
Anonymous,
March 13, 2006 12:00 AM

i have had the oppurtunity as a teacher to read many inspirational stories. this article went straight to the heart. i imagine that it is possible thtat others at this simcha may have seen the same thing that this author witnessed, but you have to really have your eyes open to see what he wrote. thank you!!!

(7)
Menashe Kaltmann,
March 13, 2006 12:00 AM

Numbers

Thank you aish.com and Rabbi Salomon for this timely article.

Here in Melbourne Australia we have many survivors of The Holocaust and it is no uncommon to see the numbers tatooed on their arms by the accursed Nazis.

Three interesting anecdotes:

(1) The Gabbay of our Shule/Minyan is a survivor of The Holocaust with a number tatooed on his arm.
He puts on Tefillin every week day!

(2) A survivor a very brave lady a guide at The Holocaust Memorial centre here in Melbourne went on "A Current Affairs" TV Program some years ago. "A Current Affairs' program appears nationally on Australian TV during prime time. It is watched by hundreds of people possibly millions.

Fortunately The Federal Government here in Australia did not grant a visa to the terrible Holocaust revisionist David Irving to enter Australia.

The Producers of the TV Program "A Current Affair" arranged a debate between Irving and this brave Jewish lady. When Irving denied the Holocaust this brave lady stood up in front of the cameras and showed her tatoo from Auschwitz and told him and all the national Australian viewers
" I was there in Auschwitz Mr Irving I and others suffered there!"

The terrible David Irving had to stop the debate unable to answer her!

(3) Whenever a survivor of The Holocaust dies here in Melbourne, (nebbach) The Chevra Kadisha Jewish burial society asks special permission of the children/family/executors of the dead to take a photo of the deceased tatoo (number).

Most families agree to it.
This may sound morbid but it shows that there is no denying The Holocaust happened. There are tens of these photos.

May the memory of the dead who perished in The Holocaust be remembered!

Yitzkor Elokim!!

(6)
Ruthie Steinberg,
March 13, 2006 12:00 AM

Extremely moving and thought provoking, beautifully written, so true and most appreciated. The world should hear more to be able to appreciate how to learn from Holocaust survivors.

I run a program trying to improve the quality of life of all elderly and in particular those of Holocaust survivors. Mr. and Mrs. Chaim Weinrib are my clients, aside from being friends of theirs and their very special family. I was very moved by this article. Thank you for sharing it.
Ruthie

(5)
SmS,
March 13, 2006 12:00 AM

We all have our priorities.
For Jerry Mguire it was "show me the money". For Rabbi B it was "Show me the numbers".
It should only be that we keep ours straight, as Rabbi B, and Rabbi Salomon, have demonstrated.

Thank you.

(4)
Yoshe,
March 12, 2006 12:00 AM

May we all be like Reb Chaim and Rabbi B. :-)

Thriving after such a horrible experience is a gift to us. Appreciating it is an obligation. Thank you Reb Chaim. Thank you Rabbi B. Thank you Rabbi Salomom. :-)

(3)
Aviva Leffel,
March 12, 2006 12:00 AM

thoughtful and sensitive

What a beautiful thoughtful story about showing kavod to a senior "treasure".

(2)
Leah Abramowitz,
March 12, 2006 12:00 AM

I was moved to tears. Would that everyone I know could read this short piece. Working with Alzheimer's patients I know how often they are ignored, avoided or demeaned. Yet even though their memory may be deteriorated, their reasoning not all that standard, there's nothing wrong with their emotions. They feel, maybe even more than we do when we cring, retreat or pity them, and they react, as did Reb Chaim, with such joy when someone accepts them for what they are.

(1)
Yerachmiel Milstein,
March 12, 2006 12:00 AM

Capturing the fleeting moment...eternally!

But for your eagle-eyed perception of the nuance of greatness, this stunning story would slipped silently into the post-Holocaust night.

I've been striving to get more into spirituality. But it seems that every time I make some progress, I find myself slipping right back to where I started. I'm getting discouraged and feel like a failure. Can you help?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Spiritual slumps are a natural part of spiritual growth. There is a cycle that people go through when at times they feel closer to God and at times more distant. In the words of the Kabbalists, it is "two steps forward and one step back." So although you feel you are slipping, know that this is a natural process. The main thing is to look at your overall progress (over months or years) and be able to see how far you've come!

This is actually God's ingenious way of motivating us further. The sages compare this to teaching a baby how to walk. When the parent is holding on, the baby shrieks with delight and is under the illusion that he knows how to walk. Yet suddenly, when the parent lets go, the child panics, wobbles and may even fall.

At such times when we feel spiritually "down," that is often because God is letting go, giving us the great gift of independence. In some ways, these are the times when we can actually grow the most. For if we can move ourselves just a little bit forward, we truly acquire a level of sanctity that is ours forever.

Here is a practical tool to help pull you out of the doldrums. The Sefer HaChinuch speaks about a great principle in spiritual growth: "The external awakens the internal." This means that although we may not experience immediate feelings of closeness to God, eventually, by continuing to conduct ourselves in such a manner, this physical behavior will have an impact on our spiritual selves and will help us succeed. (A similar idea is discussed by psychologists who say: "Smile and you will feel happy.")

That is the power of Torah commandments. Even if we may not feel like giving charity or praying at this particular moment, by having a "mitzvah" obligation to do so, we are in a framework to become inspired. At that point we can infuse that act of charity or prayer with all the meaning and lift it can provide. But if we'd wait until being inspired, we might be waiting a very long time.

May the Almighty bless you with the clarity to see your progress, and may you do so with joy.

In 1940, a boatload 1,600 Jewish immigrants fleeing Hitler's ovens was denied entry into the port of Haifa; the British deported them to the island of Mauritius. At the time, the British had acceded to Arab demands and restricted Jewish immigration into Palestine. The urgent plight of European Jewry generated an "illegal" immigration movement, but the British were vigilant in denying entry. Some ships, such as the Struma, sunk and their hundreds of passengers killed.

If you seize too much, you are left with nothing. If you take less, you may retain it (Rosh Hashanah 4b).

Sometimes our appetites are insatiable; more accurately, we act as though they were insatiable. The Midrash states that a person may never be satisfied. "If he has one hundred, he wants two hundred. If he gets two hundred, he wants four hundred" (Koheles Rabbah 1:34). How often have we seen people whose insatiable desire for material wealth resulted in their losing everything, much like the gambler whose constant urge to win results in total loss.

People's bodies are finite, and their actual needs are limited. The endless pursuit for more wealth than they can use is nothing more than an elusive belief that they can live forever (Psalms 49:10).

The one part of us which is indeed infinite is our neshamah (soul), which, being of Divine origin, can crave and achieve infinity and eternity, and such craving is characteristic of spiritual growth.

How strange that we tend to give the body much more than it can possibly handle, and the neshamah so much less than it needs!